Supporting device for bathtubs



May 27, 1941. R M D NN 2,243,794

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS Filed Feb. 17, 1941 'IIIIIIIII Patented May 27, 1941 E ATENT 2 'Ciaims.

The improved adjustable support comprising the present invention is primarily adapted for use in connection with bath tubs as a supporting rail structure by means of which a person may be assisted into and out of the tub as well as being assisted during the normal functions which are ordinarily performed during the bathtaking operation. The principal object of the invention is to provide a supporting rail which is adjustable to accommodate bath tubs of varying sizes and which, when in position in a bath tub is adapted to span the distance between the substantially vertical side walls of the tub and extend transversely across the latter thus affording assistance to a person seated in the tub and moving about therein. i

An equally important object of the invention is to provide a rail of the character set forth above which is provided with a vertical extension affording ahand grip which may be utilized to steady and otherwise assist a person entering or leaving the tub as well as to afford a suitable grip to the person when in an upright position as for example, when taking a, shower bath within 2 the tub.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a rail in which the vertical extension is adjustable and may occupy any one of a plurality of positions to accommodate the preferences of the user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a supporting rail for bath tubs which may be firmly anchored within the confines of a tub by a two-point support across the sides thereof or along a single side, or to .two adjacent sides of the tub by a three-point support, or to three adjacent sides of the tub by a four-point support in such a manner as to provide an extremely firm and rigid support capable of withstanding an unusual degree of pull in any direction and also capable of supporting the entire weight of the average person should the latter desire to use the support as a, seat during the bathing operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable rail of the character set forth two-point support to a single plane supporting surface such as a shower bath wall, or to two or three adjacent wall surfaces by a threeor fourpoint support, and caused to serve as an assisting rod or rail in the shower compartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bath tub rail which, although the same possesses all of the various above enumerated adjusting features, may be installed in position either within a bath tub or on a wall surfacewithout the necessity of employing tools of any description, all the necessary adjustments being capable of performance entirely by hand.

The provision of a bath tub rail which is extremely attractive in its appearance, one which is rugged and durable, one which is comprised of a minimum number of relatively movable parts and which is therefore unlikely to get out of order, one which may be readily installed and removed without requiring the services of a skilled laborer, and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirable features that have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention not at this time enumerated will become readily apparent as the nature. of the invention is better understood. 7

In the accompanying single sheet of drawings forming a part of this specification, one embodi- V ment of the invention is shown.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bath showing the rail in use.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the rail showing a diiierent application thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken through the device, and

s Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line l -4 of Fig. 3.

In all of the above described views, like characters of references are employed to designate like parts throughout.

In all of the above described views, like charactors are employed to designate like parts throughout.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and particularly to Figure 1, a conventional type of bath tub I is provided with side walls i0 and I2, end walls I 4 and it and a bottom [8.

The supporting rail which is shown as being tub bridges the distance between the walls 10 and J2 includes a pair of rails and 22. The rail 20 is formed with an enlarged portion 24 at one end thereof having. an internally threaded socket 25 into which one end of the rail 22 is adapted to be threadedly received. The rails 20 and 22 are thus connected together in alignment in such a manner that the bath tub rail considered as a unit may be shortened or lengthened as desired to accommodate bathtubs of different widths.

The rails 20 and 22 as well as the Various fittings applied thereto and which will be described presently may be nickel plated, chrome plated or enameled as desired but irrespective of these details in manufacture the essential features of the invention are always preserved.

The outer ends of the members 26 and 22 each have telescopically received thereon a rubber or other suction cup device 26 having a socket 28 formed therein into which the ends of the respective members extend. A plug member 3t! which is threadedly received in a socket in the end of each tubular rail'is provided with an enlarged head 32 which is forced into the socket 28 and serves the dual purpose of preventing withdrawal of the suction device from the end of the rail upon which it is mounted as well as serving in the manner of a backing plate for the rubber material of the suction device 26 which is forcibly pressed against the inner wall surface of the bathtub T when the sleeve 26 is rotated in the proper direction.

It will be obvious that the bath rail which is provided by the. members 20 and 22 together with their respective suction devices 26 may be firmly anchored in position between the side walls of the tub T and that because of the fact that the ordinary tub side walls slope inwardly and downwardly to a slight degree the entire weight of a person may be supported on the rail if desired.

In order to assist a person entering or leaving the tub T a vertical member or solid metal rod 3| has its lower end threadedly received in a socket 33 provided in the short rail 28. The upper end ofthe rool 2| is bent into the form of a loop or ring as at 3B in order to serve as an assisting handle when the device is installed in a 7 bath tub or is attached to a wall surface.

The improved bath tub rail may be applied to a single plane wall surface such for example as a bath tub side wall or a shower bath Wall and cup members 50 similar in every respect to the members 26.

It is obvious that by virtue of the laterally and longitudinally projecting suction cup members 50 and 26, the device may be installed by a three-point support on two adjacent wall surfaces in a corner, or by a four-point support on three adjacent wall surfaces. However, since two applications of the device have been disclosed herein, further illustration is unnecessary.

The invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawing or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. Only insofar as the invention has particularly been pointed out in the accompanying claims is the same to be limitcd.

What is claimed is:

L. An extensible supporting bath appliance comprising a pair of aligned end rails, threadedly connected together, a compressible suction cup member secured to the outer ends of each end rail, said suction cup members having their operative wall engaging faces disposed outwardly in opposite directions, and an additional compressible suction cup member secured to each end rail medially thereof, said latter suction cup members having their operative wall engaging faces disposed laterally of the supporting appliance in the same direction.

2. An extensible supporting bath appliance for horizontal disposition and attachment to three adjacent plane wall surfaces comprising a pair of aligned end rails threadedly connected together, a compressible suction cup member telescopically received over the outer end of each member, an enlarged backing plate contained within each suction cup member and bearing against the outer end of the respective end member over which the suction cup member is received, said suction cup members having their operative wall-engaging faces disposed outwardly in opposite directions, a collar slidably mounted on each end member adjacent the outer end thereof, a combined set screw and plug member extending laterally into each collar, a compressible suction cup member telescopically received over the outer end of each plug member, an enlarged backing plate contained within each of said latter suction cup members and bearing against the outer end of each plug member, said latter suction cup members having their operative-wall-engaging faces disposed laterally of the supporting appliance and facing in the same direction, and an assisting handle having a closed loop portion projecting upwardly medially of one of said end members.

ROSE M. DUNN. 

